Hacker Boosts Toxic Chemical Level 100-Fold at Water Plant (2)

A hacker breached computer networks at a Oldsmar, Florida, water treatment plant, remotely delivering a 100-fold boost in a chemical that is highly dangerous in concentrated amounts.

In an attack with the potential to harm public health, the hacker on Feb. 5 gained access to a city computer and changed the level of sodium hydroxide -- which is used to remove metals and control acidity -- from 100 parts per million to 11,100 parts per million, according to Bob Gualtieri, who serves as the sheriff of Pinellas County.

This is a “significant and potentially dangerous increase,” Gualtieri said at ...